Disposable splint

ABSTRACT

A disposable splint for the temporary support of the injured leg of an accident victim, which splint is formed from a heavy, bendable sheet material such as cardboard, or the like, that may be carried in a flattened condition to the scene of the accident, and by proper folding and expanding thereof, said support may be formed into a splint configuration to partially encircle the damaged leg. A flat, foldable extension is also provided for removably engaging the splint to provide temporary protection for the thigh of an accident victim.

I United States Patent 11 [72] Inventor DonBowers 2,486,687 11/1949 Svaetichin 128/89X 422East l9thSt.,LongBeach,Calli. 2,984,239 5/1961 Taylor 128/87 90806 3,496,934 2/1970 Anderson 128/88 [21] P Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet [22] Fued 1970 Assistant Examiner-.LYasko [451 paemed Attorney-William C.Babcock [S4] DISPOSABLE SPLINT ABSTRACT: A disposable splint for the temporary support of the injured leg of an accident victim, which splint is formed from a heavy, bendable sheet material such as cardboard, or the like, that may be carried in a flattened condition to the scene of the accident, and by proper folding and expanding thereof, said support may be formed into a splint configuration to partially encircle the damaged leg. A flat, foldable extension is also provided for removably engaging the splint to provide temporary protection for the thigh of an accident vicum.

PATENTEnunv 30 um 3,624. 745

FIGJ

INVENTOR. Do/v Bows/es DISPOSABLE srum BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention A disposable splint that may be carried in a flat condition to the scene of an accident, and there expanded by a folding operation into a configuration to provide a temporary splint that partially encircles the leg of and accident victim as a temporary support therefor. By the use of a foldable extension designed to engage the splint, the thigh of the victim may also be afforded temporary support.

2. Description of the Prior Art In ambulances that are used in emergencies for automobile accident victims and those suffering from industrial accidents, and the like, it is mandatory that splints be provided to temporarily support broken or damaged legs and the thighs. As is well known, the space inside an emergency ambulance is restricted, and the carrying of bulky splints for use on accident victims in such a limited space prevents the maximum efficient use of this space.

The present disposable splint is carried within the confines of the ambulance in a flat configuration, and as such, requires minimum of space. However, when the scene of the accident is reached, by folding the flat sheets of the present invention along lines provided for that purpose, the temporary splint may be expanded into a laterally adjustable configuration to conform to the general shape of the injured leg. The disposable splints embodying the present invention are formed from heavy cardboard or like sheet material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A disposable splint formed from heavy cardboard or other foldable material that may be carried in a flat condition in an ambulance or other emergency vehicle, and expandably folded into a leg-engaging configuration at the scene of an accident. The invention also includes a flat extension that may be folded to removably engage the splint, and when so folded, provide support for the thigh.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a disposable splint, as well as an extension therefor, which may be carried in an ambulance or other emergency vehicle to the scene of an accident in a flattened condition, and by a folding operation at the scene of the accident expanded to a configuration whereby the leg and thigh of the accident victim may be temporarily supported during the transportation of the accident victim to a hospital.

Another object of the invention is to supply a disposable splint of simple structure that is formed from conventional commercially available sheet materials, is simple and easy to use, is relatively inexpensive, and may be expanded at the sceneof the accident by a sequence of simple folding operations into a splint for the temporary support of the injured leg of an accident victim.

A further object of the invention is to provide a disposable splint that is transversely adjustable to conform to the configuration of a particular leg and thigh of an accident victim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of first and second flat cardboard sheets that may be carried in this state to the site of an accident, and by a sequence of folding operations formed into a laterally adjustable splint to temporarily support the leg of an accident victim;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the two sheets shown in FIG. I after they have been initially engaged to form the splint, but prior to folding of the sheets into the splint configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the two sheets after they have been engaged and folded into a temporary leg-supporting configuration;

FIG. 4 is the same perspective view of the disposable splint shown in FIG 3, but with an extension being in engagement therewith to provide temporary support for the thigh of an accident victim;

FIG. 5 is an ehd elevational view of said two sheets in initial engagement, and in a first stage of the transformation thereof into the leg-supporting configuration; and

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the two sheets after they have been engaged and folded to provide the leg-supporting disposable splint.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The disposable splint A shown in FIG. 3 is formed from two laterally engageable and adjustable first and second heavy cardboard panels B and C, respectively, that are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

First and second laterally spaced, scored folding lines 10 and 12 are formed in first panel B. The folding lines 10 and 12 serve to define a first elongate sidewall 14, base member 16, and locking member 18 on the first panel A. Two first longitudinally spaced slots 20 are formed in sidewall 14 adjacent to first folding line 10. Also, two second longitudinally spaced slots 22 are formed in locking member I8. The second slot 22 is closest to a first end 24 of first panel B, and is spaced outwardly from second folding line 12 a substantial distance, as shown in FIG. 1. The other second slot 22 (FIG. I) is adjacently disposed to second folding line 12, as well as to a second end 26 of first panel A.

Two longitudinally spaced first tabs 28 project outwardly from a first edge 30 of first panel B and are transversely aligned with first slots 20. First panel B has a second edge 32 that tapers outwardly from the first folding line 10. Second end 26 preferably is provided with a shallow curved recess 34 therein that extends into first sidewall I4, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The first tabs 28 are of such width as to slidably engage and interlock within the first slots 20 when the locking member 18 overlies the base member I6, as may be seen in FIG. 6.

The second panel C is elongate, and a third longitudinally extending, scored folding line 36 is formed therein that divides the third panel into a second sidewall 38 and a base extension 40. Two longitudinally spaced second tabs 42 project outwardly from a free edge 44 of the panel 40. The second tabs 42 are so longitudinally spaced and of such width as to be slidably engageable with the second slots 22. A longitudinally extending edge 46 of second panel C tapers outwardly from third folding line 36 at the same angle as that of edge 32 relative to the first folding line 10. First and second panels B and C are can'ied in an ambulance (not shown) in the flat condition illustrated in FIG. I. The panels B and C may, of course, be maintained in such flattened condition for emergency use in any type of vehicle, or at a stationary location such as a first aid station in an industrial plant or the like.

When the temporary splint A is to be used, a folding operation is performed on the first panel B to dispose the locking member 18 in a direction substantially normal to the base member 16 and first sidewall 14. Second tabs 42 are then at least partially extended through second slots 22. The degree to which second tabs 42 are extended through second slots 22 is dependent on the lateral spacing desired between the first and second sidewalls 14 and 38 when the disposable splint A is in the position shown in FIG. 3. The sidewalls l4 and 38 should be so laterally spaced as to snugly engage the sides of the injured leg (not shown).

After the second tabs 42 are in engagement with second slots 22, the first sidewall 14 is folded along folding line 10 and is positioned normal relative to base member 16. Locking member 18 is thereafter forced downwardly to overlie the base member I6 and the first tabs 28 caused to engage first slots 20 to project therethrough in the manner shown in FIG. 6.

When first tabs 28 engage first slots 20 as described, a portion of the second tabs 42 are interlocked between locking member 18 and base member 16 (FIG. 6). Base extension 40 is then flattened against the upper surface of locking member 18, also shown in FIG. 6, with the second sidewall 38 being folded along the third folding line 36 which is disposed nonnal relative to the portion 40a of base extension 40 situated above the locking member 18. Due to the positioning of the second slots 22, the second sidewall 38 tapers outwardly from the first sidewall 14 when the temporary splint A is in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 to conform generally to the inner tapered surface of a leg (not shown) of the injured person.

Two straps 48 are provided that extend around the splint A, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to hold the splint in position on an injured leg (not shown). Straps 48 are provided with-pressuresensitive areas 50 that removably interlock when brought into contact with one another.

The use and operation of the disposable splint A will be ob vious from the above description. A curved shallow recess 52 is formed in an end 54 of the second sidewall 38, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The recesses 34 and 52 tend to prevent the disposable splint A from cutting into the thigh (not shown) and inner upper portion of the leg (not shown) of the injured person when the splint is disposed in a supporting position thereon.

A third rectangular sheet extension D of heavy cardboard, or the like, may be provided as shown in FIG. 5, in which a longitudinal scored folding line 56 is formed in substantially the center thereof. Sheet extension D may be folded along line 56 to define two identical sides 58 that slip over an end portion of first sidewall 14 to provide the extension thereof shown in FIG. 4. The sheet extension D provides an extension to support the thigh (not shown) of an injured person when the sheet extension is disposed as shown in FIG. 4. Sheet extension D is supported adjacent to the thigh by two straps 48, and a strap 48 of greater length than that of the straps 48, with the strap 48' encircling the waist of the injured person.

I claim: I 1

l. A disposable splint for the temporary support of at least a fractured leg of a patient which splint may be carried to the scene of an accident in a fiat position and at said scene expanded into a leg supporting position, said splint including:

a. a first heavy cardboard panel having first and second laterally spaced scored folding lines therein that divide said first panel into an elongate first sidewall, a base member, and a locking member, said panel having two longitudinally spaced first slots formed in said first sidewall adjacent to said first folding line and two second slots in said locking member, and two first longitudinally spaced tabs that extend outwardly from said locking member that may removably engage said first slots when said locking member overlies said base member and said first sidewall is substantially normal to said base;

b. a second heavy cardboard panel that has a third scored folding line therein that divides said second panel into a second elongate sidewall and a base extension, with said base extension having two longitudinally spaced second tabs projecting from a free edge thereof that can removably engage said second slots, said first and second panels connected to each other by said locking member which is disposed substantially normal to said base member, said second tabs extend through said second slots, said first sidewall folded upwardly to a position substantially normal to said base, said locking memberfolded downwardly over said second tabs and base to force said first tabs to engage said first slots and extend therethrough, and said second sidewall folded to a position substantially normal to said base extension, which base extension overlies a portion of said locking member and said second tabs; and

, c. means for removably holding said splint in a supporting position about a patients leg to partially encircle the same. 2. A disposable splint as defined in claim 1 in which said second slots are so disposed relative to said second folding line that said second sidewall is angularly disposed relative to said first sidewall when said splint is disposed in a leg-supporting position.

3. A disposable splint as defined in claim 1 in which said means are a plurality of straps.

4. A disposable splint as defined in claim 1 which in addition includes: 1

d. thigh-supporting means removably connectable to said first sidewall when said splint is in a leg-supporting position; and

e. holding means for maintaining said thigh-supporting means adjacent to the thigh of an injured person.

5. A disposable splint as defined in claim 4 in which said thigh-supporting means is a heavy cardboard sheet that is folded to define two sides that removably engage an end portion of said first sidewall.

6. A disposable splint as defined in claim 5 in which said holding means is at least one strap.

* t t i i 

1. A disposable splint for the temporary support of at least a fractured leg of a patient which splint may be carried to the scene of an accident in a flat position and at said scene expanded into a leg supporting position, said splint including: a. a first heavy cardboard panel having first and second laterally spaced scored folding lines therein that divide said first panel into an elongate first sidewall, a base member, and a locking member, said panel having two longitudinally spaced first slots formed in said first sidewall adjacent to said first folding line and two second slots in said locking member, and two first longitudinally spaced tabs that extend outwardly from said locking member that may removably engage said first slots when said locking member overlies said base member and said first sidewall is substantially normal to said base; b. a second heavy cardboard panel that has a third scored folding line therein that divides said second panel into a second elongate sidewall and a base extension, with said base extension having two longitudinally spaced second tabs projecting from a free edge thEreof that can removably engage said second slots, said first and second panels connected to each other by said locking member which is disposed substantially normal to said base member, said second tabs extend through said second slots, said first sidewall folded upwardly to a position substantially normal to said base, said locking member folded downwardly over said second tabs and base to force said first tabs to engage said first slots and extend therethrough, and said second sidewall folded to a position substantially normal to said base extension, which base extension overlies a portion of said locking member and said second tabs; and c. means for removably holding said splint in a supporting position about a patient''s leg to partially encircle the same.
 2. A disposable splint as defined in claim 1 in which said second slots are so disposed relative to said second folding line that said second sidewall is angularly disposed relative to said first sidewall when said splint is disposed in a leg-supporting position.
 3. A disposable splint as defined in claim 1 in which said means are a plurality of straps.
 4. A disposable splint as defined in claim 1 which in addition includes: d. thigh-supporting means removably connectable to said first sidewall when said splint is in a leg-supporting position; and e. holding means for maintaining said thigh-supporting means adjacent to the thigh of an injured person.
 5. A disposable splint as defined in claim 4 in which said thigh-supporting means is a heavy cardboard sheet that is folded to define two sides that removably engage an end portion of said first sidewall.
 6. A disposable splint as defined in claim 5 in which said holding means is at least one strap. 